"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Consulate Appointment

Today is the day we have been waiting for ... the day our entire trip is scheduled around. Today was our Consulate Appointment. We went to the U.S. Embassy to take an oath and to complete our paperwork. We are now waiting on them to issue Eli's Visa, which we should have tomorrow afternoon. Once we have that, we can come home!

I have always been proud to be an American, but there are some days where being an American is extra special and today was one of those days. There were lines of people standing outside just waiting to get into the Consulate to apply for a Visa to come to the U.S. Because we are U.S. citizens, we walked right in. When we process through Immigration in Chicago, Eli officially becomes a U.S. citizen. How cool is that?!

After the Consulate Appointment, we went to the pearl markets and also to a street full of stores and people. We did not buy any pearls this time around because we had bought them when we were here with Bella. It's a good thing too, because the prices have risen significantly.

Everything is being decorated for Chinese New Year, so that is really neat to see. We are thankful that we are here this week because we keep hearing how busy everything will be next week because most Chinese people travel back to their home towns. Shops even close down.

We needed some more formula and diapers so we took a taxi from the market street to a store a lot like Wal-Mart. The store was several levels downstairs. The cart's wheels are magnetic so you can take the carts to other levels without losing control of them.

Our hotel is very close to a wonderful park. We went there this afternoon and got to see all of the Chinese decorations being put up. Some of the decorations are made from recycled materials. The scales on the dragon below are made from CDs.

The umbrellas are made from recycled water bottles

Here is a tea kettle being made out of brown bottles

Eli also went in the pool for the first time. The pool is outdoors, but is heated. He didn't really care for it at first, but then thought splashing was a ton of fun.

Tomorrow is our last full day in China. We are ready to head for home and will try and blog one more time before we are back in the U.S. We have appreciated all of your messages, comments and prayers. They have all been felt. We continue to be amazed at God's blessing in calling us to be Eli's parents. We can't wait to get him home for him to meet his brothers and sister and the rest of our family and friends.

The picture with him wrapped in the towel smiling is too cute! So happy for you all! Kiss Eli for us:) The girls have asked every day for me to read the blOg to them. They cannot wait to meet him. Love- Kim

The Fam

Welcome

Welcome to our blog. We are the Garland family. Michael, Heather, Aidan (12), Keenan (9), Isabella (8) and Eli (3). We brought Isabella home in August of 2009, and Eli home in February 2013. We hope you enjoy our journey as a family of 6!

Aidan

Keenan

Bella

Eli

Our four blessings

Timeline

February 15: Apply to CCAI;
February 16: Apply to FAC (homestudy agency);
May 24: Received Final Homestudy;
May 25: Sent I800A application to USCIS;
July 11: USCIS Approval;
July 20: DTC;
July 24: LID;
August 9: LOI submitted to China, Eli's file locked!!;
August 17: Pre-approval from China;
September 19: Out of Translation;
November 1: LOA;
November 21: USCIS Provisional 800 Approval;
December 18: Article 5 issued;
January 9: Travel Approval!;
January 21: Eli in our arms forever!!